Florida State Addresses Wide Receiver Issues

The climb back to the top has been grueling, painful, embarrassing at times and even heart-wrenching for the Florida State Seminoles.

In fact, we might as well characterize this climb as climbing Mt. Everest

—it seems nearly impossible, but there is still hope.

Once a perennial powerhouse in all of College Football, Bobby Bowden was seen as a God. He held the reigns to the best defenses, the best offenses—the best everything.

With an attitude of we will play you anytime and anywhere they were a team of Goliaths going against teams full of Davids every week.

But that was another time.

It seems like it was centuries ago that we saw the Garnet and Gold of Florida State raising ACC Conference Titles and appearing in a National Championship every other year.

Isn't time supposed to heal the open wounds?

Florida State is in the midst of an embarrassing scandal, losing 14 wins and almost tarnishing the legacy of Bowden forever. I know that seems a little drastic, but his past eight seasons have shown so many signs of regression.

The old coach almost looks like a ghost on the sidelines of games today.

With a re-haul of offensive and defensive coaches two seasons ago, the 'Noles have no where to go but up, and that's what they've been doing.

The big question this offseason has been at the wide receiver position.

Last years top two receivers are gone. Greg Carr moved onto the NFL and Preston Parker was dismissed for disciplinary reasons.

So who will fill the shoes?

Right now the depth chart appears to have Bert Reed and Richard Goodman as the two starters with Rod Owens and Jarmon Forston as the backups.

It's an easy prediction to say that these aren't the only four that will see playing time. Their big time receiver is Taiwan Easterling, but he suffered a ruptured Achilles in spring ball.

So who will step up to be the big time receiver?

Florida State did a nice job of addressing these needs in their recruiting process. They brought in some capable, not to mention tall, receivers.

Avis Commack—The sophomore receiver saw limited action last season as a true freshman but will be asked to take on a larger role. The 6'4" 195 pound target should become a go to guy for the second year starting quarterback Christian Ponder.

Cameron Wade—He's very tall and lean, much like Greg Car. He's 6'6" 209 pounds. Wade saw some action in the final games of the season last year, but could easily be a red zone target this year.

Willie Haulstead—The incoming freshman looks to make an immediate impact, and the coaches are expecting that also. He's got great size at 6'3" 210 pounds. He's not short on confidence, stating that he expects to be the go to receiver this season.

Rodney Smith—Another big target the 'Noles brought in. Smith is 6'6" 202 pounds, almost a carbon copy of Greg Carr, but more of a polished route runner. Smith looks to get a lot of playing time as a true freshman.

Willie Downs—Whether the coaches decide on him playing offense or defense, or both, Downs will be called upon early this season. Great size to play safety or receiver at 6'2" 192, Downs possesses great ball skills on both sides.

He could be a slash player that would be effective in all aspects of the game. The coaching staff for Florida State are looking forward to having this dynamic weapon on the squad come August.

Ponder will have plenty of targets to throw too, the only question really is who is going to step up and fill the much needed void for a go to receiver? Florida State will need one of these candidates to perform early and often to have the success they have been seeking.

The cards are on the table for the 'Noles and a 10 or 11 win season is in sight.

Barring injury this young squad could be one of the best in the nation come seasons end.